ALP – Greens agreement full text url

September 2, 2010 by songlinesoz

The Australian Greens & The Australian Labor Party (‘The Parties’) – Agreement Between:

The Hon Julia Gillard MP Prime Minister, MP Lalor, Leader of the Australian Labor Party
The Hon Wayne Swan MP
Deputy Prime Minister, MP Lilley, Deputy Leader of the Australian
Labor Party

And

Senator Bob Brown
Senator Christine Milne
Senator for Tasmania, Leader of the Australian Greens
Senator for Tasmania, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens
Adam Bandt MP ‐elect MP Melbourne, Australian Greens representative in the House

3. Goals

f) Hold referenda during the 43rd Parliament or at the next election on Indigenous constitutional recognition and recognition of local government in the Constitution.

full text of agreement

http://greens.org.au/sites/greens.org.au/files/Final%20Agreement%20_ALP_GRNS.pdf

Greens secure ALP agreement on Indigenous constitutional recognition

September 2, 2010 by songlinesoz

Media Release | Spokesperson Rachel Siewert
Wednesday 1st September 2010, 12:28pm

A referendum on the recognition of Australia’s first nations in the Australian Constitution will happen within the next three years or at the next federal election if the ALP forms Government – thanks to an agreement negotiated by the Australian Greens.

“I’m very excited that we have taken this significant step towards the proper recognition of Indigenous Australians in our constitution,” said Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal Issues today.

The Australian Greens reached the historic agreement with the ALP to help deliver stability for a possible ALP government in Canberra this morning.

“While we do not know yet that Julia Gillard will be able to form the next government, we now have a strong agreement that if she does a referendum will be held within the life of this Parliament or as part of the next federal election if she does,” Senator Siewert said.

Senator Siewert indicated that The Greens would be consulting widely with Indigenous organisations and constitutional experts on the nature of the constitutional recognition and doing all they could to ensure a meaningful and successful referendum.

The agreement also includes:

Read the rest of this entry »

“UN accuses Australia of embedded racism”

August 29, 2010 by songlinesoz

Source: 7pm TV News NSW
Published: Saturday, August 28, 2010 8:19 AEST
Expires: Friday, November 26, 2010 8:19 AEST

A United Nations committee on racial discrimination has criticised Australia’s policies on Indigenous issues.

ABC video report
http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2010/08/28/2996248.htm

NSW Two Ways Together Report on Indicators 2009

August 23, 2010 by songlinesoz

NSW DAA Minsterial media release:

14 July 2010

This is the third Two Ways Together Report on Indicators. Two Ways Together is the NSW Government’s ten year whole of government Aboriginal Affairs plan.

The Report starts with an overview of the Aboriginal Affairs plan, its relationship to the goals and targets set in the NSW State Plan, and the national commitments to close the gap in outcomes for Aboriginal people and improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal communities.

The Report provides an analysis of the demographic characteristics of the Aboriginal population in NSW, and shows indicators measuring outcomes across seven priority areas of health, education, economic development, justice, families and young people, culture and heritage, and housing and infrastructure.

Indicators to measure the differences between the Aboriginal population and the general NSW population and, where possible, trend information to show whether there has been change over time, are provided.

Download more info:
Two Ways Together Report on Indicators 2009
http://www.daa.nsw.gov.au/news/files/TWT%20RoI%202009_Complete%20Report_Low%20Res_Final.pdf

UN CERD, racism and Australia

August 10, 2010 by songlinesoz

Australia to defend ‘racist’ Northern Territory intervention at the UN
DANIEL FLITTON
August 10, 2010

A United Nations panel will investigate claims the Australian government has singled out Aborigines and asylum seekers with racist policies.

Australian officials will front a UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Geneva on Tuesday amid allegations from human rights activists that the Northern Territory intervention unfairly treats Aboriginal communities.

full story
http://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-to-defend-racist-northern-territory-intervention-at-the-un-20100809-11u6b.html

Indigenous issues – Australian Federal Election

August 9, 2010 by songlinesoz

Jenny Macklin vows to consider indigenous recognition in Constitution

* Natasha Robinson and Lex Hall
* From: The Australian
* August 09, 2010

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/jenny-macklin-vows-to-consider-indigenous-recognition-in-constitution/story-fn59niix-1225902776151

Indigenous affairs in PM’s too-hard file

* Natasha Robinson, Analysis
* From: The Australian
* August 09, 2010

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous-affairs-in-pms-too-hard-file/story-fn59niix-1225902761721

(Comment – if “too hard” then Gillard not up to the real challenges of being the Australian Prime Minister.)

SMH – interesting debate – what place for Indigenous Voices?

August 4, 2010 by songlinesoz

“Let many voices be heard in our culture

Jonathan Mills, director of the Edinburgh International Festival, last night delivered the Wheeler Centre’s inaugural State of the Arts Lecture at the National Gallery of Victoria.”

August 4, 2010 – 3:00AM
To view the entire article, click on: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/let-many-voices-be-heard-in-our-culture-20100803-115bj.html

Latest from Waitangi Tribunal – Te Urewera Report Summary

August 3, 2010 by songlinesoz

From Waitangi Tribunal

“Te Urewera
Report Summary

On 2 August 2010, the Waitangi Tribunal released part II of the pre-publication version of its report on Te Urewera claims. The following introductory text is taken from Presiding Officer Judge Patrick Savage’s letter to the Minister of Maori Affairs, which is located at the beginning of the report:”

full text and links to report

http://www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz/reports/summary.asp?reportid={C222CD7F-F2E7-4E1A-AC51-39D2A3D510DE}

Aotearoa/NZ foreshore and seabeds – Urban Maori and Auckland

August 3, 2010 by songlinesoz

From the NZ Herald:

“The ownership of New Zealand’s coastline and the issue of customary title are shaping up as major political issues as the Government prepares to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act.

This week, we investigate coastal ownership and examine the implications of scrapping this contentious law. Land Information New Zealand has exclusively released detailed maps and statistics to the Herald about coastal ownership.

Today, in the second of a five-part series, we look at Auckland’s beaches and harbours.”

http://msn.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10663185&ref=rss

From 2010 annual Mäori book awards

August 2, 2010 by songlinesoz

Contested Ground: Te Whenua i Tohea, The Taranaki Land Wars 1860-1881, edited by Kelvin Day

ISBN: 978-1-86969-411-1

http://www.huia.co.nz/shop&item_id=1151